Anyone who's cleaned out a gutter knows it's a messy job. And, it's an even messier job cleaning up the debris after it's been cleaned out of the gutters. But cleaning a gutter is a seasonal task that is necessary in the spring and fall to ensure your gutters drain winter moisture away from your roof and foundations.

Below are some common problems and solutions you may encounter when cleaning the gutter.

Problem: Water doesn't drain from the downspouts when debris clogs at the elbows and downspouts, causing overflow.

Solution: Cleaning this is an easy, do-it-yourself job. Simply insert a hose from the bottom and stuff the opening around the hose with rags so that all the water's force goes upward toward whatever's blocking the pipe.

Problem: Water overflows from gutter and drips from joints.

Solution: These leaks can usually be sealed with caulk.